Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will make MCU history by featuring an Asian protagonist for the first time in the form of Simu Liu's titular character . The upcoming Phase 4 entry was originally set to debut in theaters last February 12, 2021, but the pandemic derailed those plans. After another delay, the Marvel film will now premiere on September 3, 2021 .
So far, marketing for the film has yet to ramp up, with most of the buzz coming from leaked pieces of merchandise as well as hype from Liu on his social media account. It's no secret that the barrage of leaks gave fans a general idea of what to expect, but major details such as story beats and surprises are still being kept under wraps.
While fans wait for the film's first trailer, which Liu described as something that will be worth the wait , an interesting piece of promotional material has emerged.
A CLOSER LOOK AT SHANG-CHI
Twitter user @SCBRMidia uncovered photos of leaked Marvel Legends figures for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and it showcased brand-new looks at the main characters of the film.
In the photos, the costumes and character designs of Shang-Chi, Mandarin (Wenwu), Xialing, and the mysterious Death Dealer are featured:
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THE MANDARIN'S TEN RINGS
Based on what's been revealed from the photos, it looks like earlier leaks from Shang-Chi were accurate in terms of character designs, and this should bode well for fans who are eager for a fresh take on the Marvel hero and his supporting cast.
Shang-Chi's weapon of choice in the film may have been revealed in the Marvel Legends figure, with the character wielding a staff. Given the hero's expertise with martial arts weaponry, it's possible that the staff will not be the only weapon that Shang-Chi will use in the film.
Meanwhile, the first look at the Mandarin's Ten Rings can also be seen in the leaked figure, and it looks like this powerful weapon will be closely bonded to the villain instead of simply being worn as a normal ring.
In a way, it seems fitting that this approach will be taken in Shang-Chi to further establish the fact that this McGuffin is out of this world (literally). For context, in Marvel Comics, the Ten Rings came from an alien species known as Makluans, and it will be interesting to find out if the MCU will adapt a similar origin story for the famed artifact.
Given that the Death Dealer has been featured in set photos and LEGO leaks, it's safe to say that this ninja-type villain will likely have a prominent role in Shang-Chi , potentially serving as Mandarin's trusted allies. The same could be true for Meng'er Zhang's Xialing, and this could spell trouble for the MCU hero along the way.
All in all, the anticipation surrounding Shang-Chi is clearly at an all-time high, and it's only a matter of time before concrete details are unveiled.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will premiere in theaters on September 3, 2021.
